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We appreciate that transporting your cat to the vets can be a trying and stressful experience for you both.

Because we only treat cats, there will be no sights or sounds of dogs in our hospital which means both you and your cat will arrive to a peaceful and quiet waiting room. This alone can make a huge difference to lowering everyone’s stress levels.

But choosing to come to a cat-only clinic isn’t the only thing that you can do to make this experience much more pleasant for both your cat and yourself!

The cat carrier

Cats like to be in control of their environment and so making sure your cat feels that their carry box is a safe place is the crucial first step in making the trip easier.

Always choose a robust cat carrier box, ideally not cardboard because if it gets damp it may start to fall apart! Never travel with your cat loose in the car. There are numerous cat carriers on the market and it can be difficult to know which is best. Here are some tips on selecting a suitable cat carry box:

• The carry box needs to be easy to clean and preferably made of plastic or plastic coated. Ensure you don’t get a carry box that is so large that your cat falls about in it while you are driving.
• Carry boxes that can easily clip apart into two halves make it much easier and less stressful to get your cat gently in and out of the box.
• Help your cat become comfortable with being in their carry box so that they will regard it as their safe place. This means that when you put them in the box it won’t become a signal for a stressful journey.
  • Leave the carry box in a familiar place at home, ideally in a room where your cat spends a lot of time.
  • Place familiar, soft bedding in the carry box, such as a favourite rug or a worn item of your clothing. Alternatively you can wipe a soft cloth around your cat’s face to pick up their scent and put this in the carry box.
  • Place things that your cat loves inside the carry box such as some favourite treats or toys.
  • Bear in mind it may take days to weeks before your cat takes to entering the carrier willingly. Ensure to remain patient, calm and reward all desired behaviours.
  • Spray the carry box and contents with Feliway Spray at least half an hour before you go. Feliway is a synthetic feline pheromone that can help to reduce anxiety in cats. You can purchase Feliway from our reception. 
• If your cat panics at the sight of the carrier and is unwilling to go into it, try to get him/her in safely and gently at the first try.
  • Have the carrier close by but out of sight from your cat. Wrap your cat in a thick towel, preferably one which smells familiar and gently place them and the towel in the carry box quickly so that they cannot grab the edges of carrier and get into a struggle, escape and then not be caught again that day!
• Once you are on your way, keep the carry box covered with a towel or cloth for the duration of your journey as this will help keep your cat calm.
• Secure the carrier in the foot well behind the front seat or loop the seat belt around the carry box.
• Drive carefully so that your cat is not thrown around in the car. Refrain from playing loud alarming music!
• Talk quietly and reassuringly and stay calm yourself, cats are great at picking up tension from their owners!
• Some cats may vomit or soil the carry box during the journey, so taking some spare bedding may be useful for the return journey home.
• Try to avoid rushing and bumping the carry box against your legs as you carry it into the hospital

In the waiting room

As we only treat cats, you will not encounter any noisy dogs in our waiting room. This makes a huge difference to the stress levels of your cat. Keep your carrier covered with a towel to help your cat feel more secure. Try to avoid placing the carry box on the ground as cats are vertical animals and prefer to be high up. Our waiting room has been purpose built with raised locations for you to rest your carry box. Avoid putting your cat face to face with another cat’s carry box as this can be stressful too.

Inside the consulting room

Our vets are ultimately responsible for everyone’s safety and welfare and so we may ask that a veterinary nurse assists with handling your cat, especially if you are nervous or unsure about how your cat will react. Our nurses are talented cat whispers and they know all the tricks needed to make your cat feel more relaxed. We will also have Feliway Diffusers switched on at all times in our consult rooms and in the main hospital and ward areas.

If you are unsure how to administer tablets or apply skin ointments or ear drops, ask one of our team for a demonstration or advice. On our information pages you will find videos on how to pill a cat including step by step instructions. And if it isn’t mentioned, ask for advice about administering water or feeding straight after giving a tablet to prevent your cat developing oesophageal problems.

Admission into hospital

Over the course of your cat’s life, it is likely that they may need to stay in our hospital as a inpatient. Our hospital wards have custom designed cages that specifically address the unique environmental needs of cats. This has a huge impact on reducing your cat’s stress which in turn has a positive effect on their recovery from surgery or illness.

Going home

To help make your cat’s journey home more pleasant, make sure you repeat all the stress lowering strategies you used for the trip into our hospital. For households with more than one cat some consideration also needs to be given to bringing your cat home, especially if they have been at our hospital for some time. The strange smells of the hospital can make some cats anxious and there can sometimes be aggression between housemates that would normally be friends. Careful re-introductions can prevent re-bonding problems.

Adapted from www.icatcare.org